Senegal's Ousmane Sonko mobilizes Pastef ahead of 2027 elections

Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko Announces Party Congress

Senegal's Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, conducted several political meetings over the recent weekend. These gatherings aimed to organize his political base in anticipation of the upcoming local elections scheduled for 2027. A significant development is the announcement of Pastef's inaugural congress, set for Mon, Jun 6, 2027.

On Saturday, Sonko met privately with his coalition, the Alliance Patriotique pour le Travail et l'Éthique (Apte). This move parallels the coalition efforts of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, reflecting an increasing political competition between the two leaders, who are six months into their respective mandates.

During a meeting on Sunday with Pastef's national council, Sonko officially announced the party's first congress since its establishment in 2014. This event marks a significant step in Pastef's organizational development and institutional strengthening.

A commission has been established to manage the sales of membership cards, which will commence in April. The pricing for these cards is set at 1,000 CFA francs within Senegal, 20 euros in Europe, and 20 dollars in other regions. The objective is to expand the party's membership to one million, facilitated by a policy that allows allies to join without requiring full militant status.

Sonko emphasized the importance of recruitment and mobilization efforts by militants and allies in preparation for the 2027 local elections and the 2029 presidential election. He also reiterated his commitment to his role as Prime Minister, indicating that he plans to remain in his position.

Based on reporting by Africanews.